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Auditions

- By Wits University

Applications for auditions are now closed

 

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER FOR AUDITION AND YOUNG WITS CHOIR MEMBERSHIP:

Should you be selected for an audition for Wits Choir please take note of the following:

  • Bring a passport- sized photograph to the audition
  • You will be required to pay a R200 audition fee and you will become a member of ‘The Friends of Wits Choir’ which includes subscription to the Wits Choir’s mailing list and a ‘Friends of Wits Choir’ badge which qualifies you for special discounts on all Wits Choir performance tickets;

An audition for Young Wits Choir; and a Wits Choir cap which you will receive when you come for your audition. 

  • Registered students of Wits University may have this audition fee debited to your student fees account.  Non-Wits Students and non-students will be required to pay this fee on the day of the audition.

 

Should you be selected as a member of Young Wits Choir please take note of the following:

  • A membership fee of R150 per month is levied. You will be required to pay the amount of R525 for the period from September to mid-December 2015 by the end of September. If you are a student at Wits University, this amount can be debited to your student fees account.

The membership fee covers amongst others choir running costs, transport to and from Choir events, refreshments at Choir events, training by our expert Choir Conductor, workshops with experts in the field, sheet music, subsidised uniforms, subsidised Choir camps and tours, maintenance of Wits Choir House, and other costs.

  • Membership of the Young Wits Choir entails more than just arriving for rehearsals and performances.  The unique leadership structure of the Young Wits Choir encourages buy-in and ownership from every member. 
  • The commitment required of members imparts discipline, time-management and the value of interpersonal skills.  Being treated as a valuable and appreciated member of this group is key.  This, together with stage performance, public-speaking and solid team-work, builds confidence and self-esteem.
  • Due to the performance standard and high level of commitment that is expected of members of the Young Wits Choir, all new members will be given a three month probation period.

 

 

FAQ

Do I have to be a Wits student to be in the choir?

- No. Everybody is welcome to audition to become a member of Wits Choir. You need to be over 18 and have a great passion for singing, that’s all.

 

What do I need to do to become a member?

- Auditions are usually in August every year. You will find more detailed information regarding dates:

on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/witschoir and

on our website at http://www.wits.ac.za/witschoir

Apply using the link on the website and we will get back to you with further details. 

 

How do auditions work?

- The auditions will be held at Wits Choir House which is at 21 Henri St Braamfontein. It is the street diagonally opposite the Senate House entrance on Jorissen Street on East Campus. 

The audition consists of an aural test and an interview. You need to familiarise yourself with the Wits Choir’s Code of Conduct which will be sent to you along with your audition time. 

 

What repertoire do the Wits Choirs have?

- Wits Choir and Young Wits Choir’s repertoire is varied, with the focus on music from our continent and country and therefor songs in many different languages. You can find samples of what we do on our Facebook page and our YouTube-channel http://www.youtube.com/user/witschoirjhb

 

Do I need to be able to read music to join the choir?

- No. Choir members are not required to read music or to play an instrument. All you need to have is a passion for singing and the willingness to be part of a team and to work hard and learn. The mission of Young Wits Choir is to learn new skills which includes learning how to read music and developing the voice.

 

How much does it cost to be in the choir?

- There is a once-off joining fee of R200 which includes an audition, membership of Friends of Wits Choir, a FoWC badge and a Wits Choir cap.

Then there is a membership fee of R150 per month. If you are a student at Wits University, this amount can be debited to your student fees account.

The membership fee covers amongst others choir running costs, transport to and from Choir events, refreshments at Choir events, training by our expert Choir Conductor, workshops with experts in the field, sheet music, subsidised uniforms, subsidised Choir camps and tours, maintenance of Wits Choir House, and other costs.

 

What about the choir uniform?

-Uniforms are provided for our members. Members pay a nominal amount to hire the uniform for the duration of the choir year.

 

When and where do rehearsals take place?

-Rehearsals are on a Tuesday evening from 17:45 to 19:45. They take place at Wits Choir House at 21 Henri St. Braamfontein.

 

Is there a Code of Conduct for the choir?

- Yes, we do have a Code of Conduct.  Most of our members are extremely busy and make time for choir rehearsals which are held once per week for 2 hours. Everyone receives a Year Plan at the beginning of the year so they can arrange their schedules around the rehearsals and performances. This Code of Conduct as well as the Mission and Goals of Young Wits Choir is supplied to all who apply for an audition.   

 

How is the choir structured?

- There are two choir members who are the representatives for Young Wits Choir – one representing the women and one for the men. They are responsible for communication between the choir conductor and the choir members and are also the go-to people. They will welcome the new members and make sure that they settle in well in the choir. 

 

How many performances are there per year?

- That varies from year to year. Wits Choir sings at every graduation ceremony at Wits University. Graduations are usually in March/April, June/July and December and there are usually 25 ceremonies per year. On top of that we will collaborate and perform with visiting choirs both local and international, do workshops, do community outreach projects such as the Youth and Community Choir Festival, go on an annual tour and so on. To get an idea about what is happening in a typical choir year you can check out the events page on the choir’s website or on the Facebook page.

 

 Why do I join Young Wits Choir and not Wits Choir?

- You are joining the Wits Choir family. All new members audition for Young Wits Choir as it is the entry choir to the Wits Choir family. Young Wits Choir is a choir in its own right with a separate repertoire, mission, goals, structure etc. Its demand on members’ commitment and time is less than Wits Choir’s and in this way it gives members the opportunity to get used to being in this family. It is called the Young Wits Choir because it is a choir for singers who are new to the Wits Choir family, and so has nothing to do with age.